On Saturday 8 December 2007, the Walled City of Ratanga Junction in Cape Town was packed with spectators who came to witness South Africa’s top women fighters in action in a full-contact Thaiboxing K-1 Rules tournament, in an atmosphere filled with tension and excitement as the fighters warmed up in preparation for their appearances in the ring.
These women who were specially selected to fight in this most prestigious full contact tournament emerged from all over the country, each one with one goal in mind: to win gold.
First up on the bill was a power-packed bout between Cape Town’s Nuraan Noordien and Kagiso Aphane from Pretoria, and it didn’t take these two long to climb into each other, as they exchanged powerful blows and low kicks.
Noordien dominated in the first round with superb boxing combinations but it was the fast jabs, kicks and mobility of Aphane which gave her the edge over her slightly heavier opponent. Noordien pushed through giving every bit of power she had in the last round, but the victory was awarded to the more experienced Aphane, who was elated at her win.
In the second fight Tasneem Ismail (Boland) faced Tshepiso Mashubuku (Gauteng) in an interesting match-up where both girls came from Kickboxing backgrounds, and as expected, both girls focused on quick and strong kicks to the legs and body.
In the end it was Mashubuku who had clearly focused on her Thaiboxing skills in her training and came well-prepared to throw powerful knee strikes to the body of her opponent. This wore down Ismail and Mashubuku who got stronger in the later round to emerge the victor.
The third fight of the day saw the exciting Cape Town fighter Nabeehah Sayed go head to head with the experienced Noloyiso Gadeni from Port Elizabeth.
Gadeni came out firing with strong punches to the head of Sayed, who answered with powerful low kicks and push kicks to the body and legs of Gadeni. Sayed quickly showed her dominance by delivering devastating knee-strikes to the head, while Gadeni tried to stay close to her aggressive opponent.
Gadeni seemed overwhelmed, but fought back in a brave effort to win the gold, but it was Sayed who put on a spectacular performance for spectators with a variety of impressive Thaiboxing combinations, to win gold and the respect of the crowd in the end.
In a gruelling fourth bout, Veral Petersen of Cape Town took on the aggressive Makhosazana Mthwethwe (Pretoria), who immediately used her aggression to intimidate her opponent. But the Capetonian stood her ground and showed impressive boxing skills from the onset in a fantastic display of skill from both fighters. Despite lacking her usual speed and powerful kicks, Petersen overpowered her opponent and earned the victory in their three-round battle.
The final and main bout of the day was an exciting fight between the unknown black belt Karate Champion Elana Stoffello and the experienced Thaiboxer from Cape Town, Ronelle Williams.
In the first round, Stoffello came out strong landing hard low kicks and fast jabs. Williams answered with good leg blocks and strong right punches closing the gap, and immediately following up with a barrage of knees strikes to the body and face of Stoffello.
The second round saw both fighters aggressively attacking with Williams establishing her dominance more clearly with devastating knee strikes for which Stoffello had no response.
In the final round Stoffello showed her courage and experience by attacking aggressively once again, but it was Williams who backed her opponent up against the ropes and delivered powerful body punches and brutal knee strikes to the head of Stoffello, forcing the referee to stop the fight, awarding Williams with gold and a KO victory over her opponent.
In the end a fabulous event was enjoyed by all who was present. A well-organized event with super-exciting fights, spectacular dance performances and a lively and supportive crowd made Fight Girls SA and the Team Ray Fight Corporation live up to its reputation of top quality entertainment.
Spectators certainly got their money’s worth and a new-found respect for women fighters in the ring. What a fantastic way to end the new year for avid fight fans! Watch out for the Fight Girls South Africa highlights when it is broadcasted on both SABC 1 and SABC 2 over the next month and in the new year.
More excitement can be expected as Team Ray Fight Corporation prepares to host Fight Night Africa: South Africa vs Russia at the beginning of April 2008 – the bill will feature SA’s best going up against the best male fighters Russia has to offer.
Also on the programme will be two of the exciting women fighters from the Fight Girls SA circuit… Watch this space! For more info on upcoming events feel free to contact the organisers on 073 0777 040 or visit the Muay Thai SA website.
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
